LEJOG Day 2 – St Columb Major to Crediton

This may well turn out to be our toughest day, with the distance rising to 79 miles and a whopping 5,170ft of height gain, the highest of the whole trip. The short, sharp hills of Cornwall and Devon are notorious for taking their toll on eager LEJOGers, a sharp reminder that this is no stroll in the park.

Today we followed the A39 north past Wadebridge and then uphill towards Camelford before turning east to reach Launceston. Another rise up to just before Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor National Park then led to quieter roads to a welcome ‘proper’ bed at our B&B near Crediton.

What actually happened:

The rain started overnight and continued on and off until late morning. It wasn’t much fun cycling on a rainy Monday morning on the A39, but we made good time with the wind in our backs. After a second breakfast at Camelford we took some quieter roads to Launceston. My legs were starting to feel it by lunchtime; the climb up to Camelford was a killer, for instance.

The short, sharp hills showed no sign of letting up as we passed into Devon – but at least the sun came out. I really enjoyed the NCN27 into Okehampton, alongside the old Dartmoor Railway.

We were now on the last stretch and quiet country lanes – plus several more steep hills ! – took us to our thatched B&B near Crediton.

Today’s summary in three words: Farm shops, high hedgerows & pasty**

** Question: is it pasty (as in wallpaper paste) or pasty (as in past) ? The locals have pronounced it both ways and Duncan and I can’t agree.